Make the most of your visit to Belgian Limburg with our tips for exploring this beautiful region. Discover local flavours at wineries and charming hotspots, explore welcoming cities such as Hasselt, and immerse yourself in the region’s stunning natural landscapes. From Hoge Kempen National Park to the water-rich De Wijers nature reserve, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. Think scenic walking routes, historic abbeys and atmospheric towns: discover the best of Belgian Limburg with our personal travel tips!
1. Discover the charming city of Hasselt
Hasselt is a wonderful destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway in Belgian Limburg. The provincial capital is known for its charming shopping streets, culinary hotspots, and surprising cultural offerings. Stroll through the charming streets, discover unique street art, and visit museums such as the Jenever Museum and the Hasselt Fashion Museum. The Japanese Garden is also highly recommended if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.
Curious about all the things you can see and do? In our article about Discover Hasselt with our personal tips for fun sights, unique shops, and great spots. And did you know that Hasselt is also called ‘The City of Taste’? You can find out why in our article about Hasselt's best restaurants and delicacies.
2. Visit Herkenrode Abbey
Looking for a special place where history, architecture, and nature come together? Then pay a visit to Herkenrode Abbey, just outside the center of Hasselt. This former convent was once the wealthiest convent in the Netherlands. Today, you can stroll past the historic buildings, enjoy the tranquility of the expansive grounds, and learn more about the abbey’s rich history.
One of the most striking sites is Clausura, an impressive art installation by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh that uses Corten steel to reveal the contours of the former abbey church. It’s a unique blend of heritage and contemporary art. Be sure to put on your walking shoes, because from the abbey you can easily walk straight into the surrounding nature, heading toward De Wijers.
3. Explore the De Wijers Wetland Nature Reserve
Do you enjoy being outdoors? Then a visit to De Wijers is a must during your stay in Belgian Limburg. This unique nature reserve is known for its many ponds, green landscapes, and rich flora and fauna. It’s a wonderful place to go for walks and bike rides, enjoying the views along the way and keeping an eye out for birds and other animals.
De Wijers stretches across several municipalities in Central Limburg, including Hasselt, Zonhoven, Genk, and Diepenbeek. A fun way to explore the area is via the walking and biking trails along the ponds. The observation tower in Zonhoven is also highly recommended if you’d like to admire the water-rich landscape from above. Combine your visit, for example, with a trip to Herkenrode Abbey or a day in Hasselt. That way, you can discover both the green surroundings and the charming city in a single outing.
4. Go for a walk in Hoge Kempen National Park
In the mood for a good dose of nature? Put on your hiking boots and explore Hoge Kempen National Park, a vast nature reserve featuring forests, heathlands, sandy plains, and impressive panoramic views. Along the way, you’ll also learn more about the region’s mining history. One unique feature is the slag heaps: hills formed from the rock brought to the surface during mining. Climb one and enjoy the view of the surrounding landscape!
Prefer a real hiking challenge? Since 2021, you can follow the National Park Trail, a long-distance hike of about 110 kilometers, divided into several stages. It’s the perfect way to explore the park’s diverse landscapes at your own pace. Hoge Kempen National Park reveals a surprisingly green side of Belgian Limburg.
5. Explore the Negenoord-Kerkeweerd Nature Reserve
Looking for a special piece of nature in Belgian Limburg? Negenoord-Kerkeweerd, located along the Meuse River, is a wonderful place to explore. We explored this nature reserve with a Meuse River guide, who told us all about the landscape and the animals that live here along the way. Highly recommended if you want to get the most out of your visit!
Here, you can hike along marked trails, but you can also explore the so-called “wandering areas.” There, you can choose your own route and sometimes follow the tracks of the Konik horses and Galloway cattle that roam freely in the area. One of the highlights is located on the Dilsen-Stokkem side: a watchtower made of rammed earth, from which you can look out over the vast natural landscape and the Meuse Valley. Don’t forget your camera, because this is the kind of place where you’ll naturally pause for a moment to enjoy the view!
6. Rent a bike and explore the Maas Route
Cycling through Belgium is a lot of fun—as we discovered earlier during a beautiful bicycle route along the Scheldt. So, once again, a bike ride was a must. And it turned out to be a wonderful way to explore the region. Did you know that about 90 kilometers of the Maas Route runs through Belgian Limburg?
Cycle along the Meuse, enjoy the lush riverside landscape, and stop along the way in charming towns and villages. It’s precisely this variety that makes this route so enjoyable: one moment you’re cycling through nature, the next you’re settling down on a patio for a well-deserved break. Our advice? Take your time, get off your bike regularly, and make it a relaxing bike ride where the journey is just as much fun as the destination!
Tip: If you're cycling along the Maas Route and looking for a nice place to have lunch, Sjeiven Dorpel is a great recommendation. It's a cozy spot to take a breather and enjoy some local delicacies. Try specialties like the croque and the mussels, and chat with the friendly staff to learn more about the culinary culture of Belgian Limburg.
7. Enjoy a wine tasting at a winery in Belgian Limburg
Would you prefer an activity that’s a little less athletic? Then visit one of the wineries in Belgian Limburg and let yourself be surprised by some delicious wines. At Thilesna Winery, you’ll meet Johan, the passionate owner, who’ll tell you all about his vineyards, harvesting techniques, and, of course, his favorite wine. Our favorite was the Riesling—highly recommended.
At Aldeneyck Winery, you can take a guided tour. If Lieve is your guide, you’re in good hands—she’s been leading tours for 17 years. She’ll explain exactly how to properly taste wine and let you taste the difference between wines aged in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. My favorite wine at this winery was the Pinot Gris Barrique, a fuller-bodied white wine aged in oak.
8. Go shopping at Maasmechelen Village
Looking for fun tips for Belgian Limburg? Be sure to add Maasmechelen Village to your list! This stylish outlet village is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon shopping, with more than 100 stores full of fashion, accessories, and lifestyle brands. You’ll find well-known brands with discounts of up to 60% off the recommended retail prices. It’s a great destination if you want to combine shopping with a day trip to Belgian Limburg.
Finished shopping? Then it’s time for a tasty treat. There are several restaurants where you can enjoy lunch or dinner. Our recommendation is Giuliano, an Italian hotspot where you can enjoy pasta, pizza, and salads. Thanks to the open kitchen and cozy bar, there’s a pleasant, casual atmosphere. This way, you can turn an afternoon of shopping into a full day out!
Unique Places to Stay in Belgian Limburg
Belgian Limburg has a surprising number of beautiful places to stay, such as cozy boutique hotels and unique accommodations surrounded by nature. Would you like to combine your visit to Belgian Limburg with a fun weekend getaway? Here are our tips for unique places to stay in Belgian Limburg.
Hotel Terhills
A good starting point for exploring Belgian Limburg is the Terhills area, where we’ll spend the night in Hotel Terhills I can definitely recommend it. Not only can you enjoy a comfortable stay at this beautiful hotel with its Versailles-style gardens, but you’re also just a short walk from Maasmechelen Village and the Hoge Kempen National Park.
Ordingen Castle
Would you like to treat yourself to a special overnight stay during your city trip through Belgian Limburg? Then Ordingen Castle A wonderful place to stay. This five-star hotel is located in a fairytale castle in Sint-Truiden. Enjoy stylish rooms, refined cuisine at Restaurant Aurum, or take a seat at Bistro Richard. A place where you can not only enjoy a wonderful overnight stay, but also let yourself be completely pampered.
Hotel Terhills
A stylish hotel surrounded by greenery, close to Maasmechelen Village and Hoge Kempen National Park.
Ordingen Castle
Stay overnight in a fairytale-like five-star castle with luxurious rooms and refined cuisine.
Center Parcs Terhills
Looking for a great place to stay for a family vacation in Belgian Limburg? At Center Parcs Terhills There’s plenty to do for all ages. From boating and pedal boating to mini-golf and playing on the beach: there’s no chance of getting bored here. Nature lovers will also find plenty to enjoy, as a stay here pairs perfectly with a hike in the Hoge Kempen National Park.
Center Pars Terhills
A luxurious getaway surrounded by nature, with plenty of water fun, fun activities, and plenty of space for quality time with the family.
Tip: Come on over to Terland Restaurant, beautifully situated on the waterfront. It’s a great place to end the day with your family, enjoying delicious food and a view of the lake.
By train to Belgian Limburg
Planning a trip to Belgian Limburg? Why not make it part of a longer journey through Belgium or combine it with a visit to the Netherlands? The region is easy to reach by train, with convenient connections to cities such as Maastricht, Genk and Hasselt. Travelling by rail is a relaxed way to explore the area while leaving plenty of time to discover charming towns, local food spots and beautiful natural landscapes along the way. Check train routes, journey times and fares via the NS International website.
Find nature in Belgium: the Belgian Ardennes
Are you a fan of nature, unusual accommodations and culinary hotspots in Belgian Limburg? Then the Belgian Ardennes are a wonderful next destination. Here you will find vast forests, hills, rivers and countless hiking trails. Great for a relaxing weekend in the middle of nature. Plan your weekend away using our travel tips for the Belgian Ardennes: great hiking trails, unique places to sleep and the most beautiful villages.
